Can dispensing apparatus



y 1963 R. A. PARKER ETAL 3,096,903

CAN DISPENSING APPARATUS Filed Aug. 9, 1961 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 79 j: 27F162, J

FIGS.

SOLENOID I 89 IIGi. rfi r Ht M) Mm!!! INVENTOR ROY ,4. Pee/ 52 JAMES .DTHOMPSON ATTORNEY July 9, 1963 R. A. PARKER ETAL CANDISPENSING APPARATUS2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Filed Aug. 9, 1961 TIC-3.7.

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INVENTOR Pay A. 242x52 4/4/1455 Q 77/oMPso/v FIG. 4.

ETC-3.6.

BYW 45.7%W ATTORNEY United States Patent 3,096,908 CAN DISPENSINGAPPARATUS Roy A. Parker and James D. Thompson, Fayettevilie, N.C.; saidThompson assignor to Highland Dairies, Inca, Fayetteville, N.C., acorporation of North Carolina Filed Aug. 9, 1961, Ser. No. 130,350 13Claims. (Cl. 221176) This invention pertains to dispensers for packagedgoods or articles, and more particularly to dispensers for canned goods,such as cylindrical cans of oil.

In certain businesses where many motor vehicles are involved, such as inthe distribution system of a dairy, bakery or newspaper, it isconventional to supply the motor fleet with fuel and lubricating oil atthe main company yard. To prevent misappropriation, daily records arekept in the oflice as to fuel and lubricant consumption, as well as themileage reading of each vehicle. For economy of operation, it isdesirable that the drivers of the several motor vehicles operate thefuel pump. The pump is customarily within easy view from the oflice, andthe pump reading is telemetered to the ofiice simultaneously with theoperation of the pump. Where view of the pump is obstructed, an intercomsystem is provided, and by remote control from the oflice the pump maybe locked and unlocked for operation.

As to release of cans of oil to the several drivers, however, prior tothe present invention no satisfactory system of self-service had beendevised, and this phase of supplying the fleet has suffered severely byreason of misappropriation.

In line with the situation just recited, it is the primary object of thepresent invention to provide a can dispenser which lends itself toeither remote or coin control of the dispensing operation.

Another object of the present invention is to provide a dispenser of thekind aforementioned wherein the cans are maintained out of reach, norcan the dispensing operation be tampered with or forced.

A still further object of the present invention is to provide adispenser for a series of cylindrical cans arranged on a series ofsuperposed communicating ramps disposed in zig-zag relation whereinmeans is positioned along the path of movement of the cans and at thejuncture of the several ramps and operable conjointly with operation ofthe final can release or discharge, for preventing jamming of the canswith resultant failure of the cans to advance.

Another important object of this invention is to provide a can dispenserof the kind mentioned which may be constructed, in the main, fromcommonplace parts, such as angle irons, plates, straps, rods, and thelike.

Still another object of the present invention is to provide an improvedcan dispensing apparatus that is relatively inexpensive in manufacture,eificient and positive in operation, easily maintained, and has a longoperational life.

Other objects and advantages of the present invention will becomeapparent in the detailed description of the invention to follow.

With these and other objects in view, the present invention consists inthe combination and arrangement of parts as will be hereinafter morefully described and finally pointed out in the appended claims, it beingfurther understood that changes in the specific structure shown anddescribed may be made within the scope of the claims without departingfrom the spirit of the invention.

In the accompanying drawings forming a part of this specification and inwhich like numerals of reference indicate similar parts in the severalviews:

FIGURE 1 is a front elevation of a casing enclosing apparatus accordingto the present invent-ion;

FIGURE 2 is a front elevation on a larger scale of the dispensingapparatus, shown removed from the casing of FIGURE 1;

FIGURE 3 is an enlarged detail in perspective looking toward the leftend of the apparatus of FIGURE 2 and showing the juncture of a pair ofthe several ramps employed in the invention;

FIGURE 4 is a perspective corresponding to FIGURE 3, but viewed from theright hand end of FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 5 is a side elevation showing in detail the juncture of theramps, only one rail of each ramp being here shown;

FIGURE 6 is a still further enlarged detail in longitudinal section,showing the can releasing means employed at the lower end of each ramp;

FIGURE 7 is a plan view of one of the two duplicate gate actuating meansmounted at the top of the frame structure shown in FIGURE 2;

FIGURE 8 is a diagram in side elevation of the arrangement for limitingthe return or stop position of the gate devices after a can releasingoperation; and

FIGURE 9 is a schematic view in side elevation of a modification whereinbut a single power means is employed to operate the several gatedevices.

In general, the present invention comprises a casing within which thecan dispensing apparatus is enclosed. The apparatus includes an openvertical frame, including a series of inclined communicating rampsdisposed in superposed zigzag descending relation for receiving the cansand leading same to the final discharge station. A platform is mountedatop the frame, and adjacent each end of the platform is mounted a rockshaft. A rocker arm is fixedly mounted at each end of each of said rockshafts and at a point beyond the side edges of the frame structure.Front and rear rods depend one from each end of each rocker arm, and ata point near the juncture of respective pairs of said ramps gate devicesextend across said ramps and are connected to corresponding of saidfront and rear rods to alternately release and block descent of saidcans as said rock shaft is actuated. A power device is energized in anysuitable way for rocking said shafts.

For a full understanding of the invention, reference will now be made tothe annexed drawings, wherein numeral 1t) designates a casing or housingfor the apparatus of the present invention. The casing includes a hingeddoor 11, key slot 12, and a handle 13. Cooperating bumpers 14, '15 aremounted on both the door and the casing. The transmitter and receiver ofan intercom system are disposed at 16 within and adjacent the top of thecasing, whereby a driver may request or discuss with the clerk in theplant office regarding release of one or more units or cans of oil. Oneach activation of the dispenser apparatus a unit will be released ontoa terminal extension 17 of the lowermost ramp of the apparatus. A bumper18 serves as a stop for the discharged cans.

Within the casing and substantially filling the upper portion of same isthe apparatus of FIGURE 2, constituting the instant invention. Space isleft in the casing beneath the apparatus for storage of a quantity ofcans for restocking the apparatus, as becomes necessary. The width andheight of the apparatus may be varied to provide sufficient number andlength of ramps to accommodate the quantity of cans envisaged asnecessary to meet the contemplated demands. The pitch of the ramps mayalso be varied in accordance with the size of cans to be dispensed. Thedepth of the apparatus is somewhat greater than the axial length of thecans to be dispensed.

The apparatus comprises a rectilinear frame including vertical cornerposts 19-22, the front posts being designated in FIGURE 2 by numerals19, 21, while the rear posts bear numerals 20, 22, FIGURES 3-4. Theposts preferably are of L-shape in cross-section for reasons to appearhereinafter. A series of five ramps 2327 for sustaining and rollinglyguiding the cans C, are arranged in vertical zig-za-g descendingrelation within the rectangular space defined by said corner posts. Eachramp consists of a trackway comprised of spaced, parallel rails 28, 29.The rails are of L-s-hape in cross-section and may be cut fromconventional angle iron stock. Each pair of rails is disposed with theinnermost wall 30 of each rail lying in a common plane, and with theouter wall 31 disposed vertically to maintain the cans on the track andguide same therealong. Save for the start portion 32 of uppermost ramp23 and the discharge end portion 33 of lowermost ramp 27, the ends ofthe several ramps are secured, as by bolts, rivets or welding 34, toplates 35, which plates in turn are similarly fixed along one edge 36 totheir respec tive adjacent posts. The start end of the rails ofuppermost ramp 23 are each rigidly fixed to one end of a strap 37, theother end of each strap in turn being likewise fixed to a corner post.The discharge end portion 33 of the rails of the lowermost or dischargeramp are fixed directly to the corner posts. The rails of the severalramps are interconnected and braced by angle irons 33 and/or straps 39to maintain proper spacing of the rails and to make rigid the structurethus far described.

As best seen in FIGURES 3-6, the lowermost terminal end 40 of railsconstituting ramps 23-26 terminate short of the corner posts by adistance sulficient to allow free passage of a can to permit it to fallto the high portion of the ramp below. To prevent battering of the cansduring said fall and thus impairment of their capacity to roll freely,-cushioning means is provided, presently illustrated as a pair of tensionsprings 4142. One end of each spring is anchored at 43 to an inner wallof a post at a point above the lead end 44 of the ramp, while the otherend of each spring is anchored at 45 to an adjacentone of the bridgingangle irons 33', at a point spaced from the adjacent rail. As forecast,the inturned walls 46 of the respective angle iron posts serve as a stopto prevent any can from bouncing or being wedged off the end of theramp. To prevent a can, during passage from one ramp to another, fromshifting axially and thereby landing on the edge 47 of one or the otherof the 'rails, and thus possibly Wedge and block the rolling action ofthe cans, a guide means is provided at the juncture of the ramps tomaintain the cans in alignment with the tracks. This guide means isillustrated as consisting offiller plates 48, one being affixed to theinner Wall of each of the ramp sustaining plates 35. These filler platesare of approximately the same thickness as the vertical walls of therails. One edge 49 of each filler plate rests upon the vertical edge 47of the rail, as best shown in FIGURE 5, while the upper edge 51 thereofis disposed above the end-s 40 of the rails.

Power operated gate means is provided for controlling movement of thecans down the several ramps and regulating discharge down the lowermostramp, as will next be described. A horizontal supporting structure 52 ismounted above the uppermost ramp 23 by means of straps "53, 54 fixed tothe ends of said structure and to the several posts. Resting on saidstructure is a platform 55, shown in two duplicate sections, one sectionbeing fixed on each end portion of the supporting structure.

Identical gate actuating units are mounted on each platform section.Each unit includes a rocker shaft 56 journaled at each end in anupstanding leg 57 of an L-bracket, the other leg of which is fixed at 58to its respective platform section. The ends of rock shafts 56 projectthrough the brackets and beyond the sides of the supporting structure52. Axial movement of the rock shaft is restrained by providing the endportions thereof with shoulders, shown in the form of collars 59,

contiguous the brackets. Each rock shaft 56 passes through and is fixedto the center portion of an actuating arm 60, illustrated in the form ofan elongate plate disposed in a plane transverse the axis of itsrespective 4- shaft 56. A pair of pins 61, 62 are fixed to the oppositefaces of the actuator arm adjacent its upper edge, the pins extending inopposite directions and in parallelism With said shaft.

Means for rocking said shafts 56 of said units consists of motor meansfor applying a sudden pull on corresponding ones of said pins 61. Forpractical purposes the motor means is depicted as a pair ofsimultaneously operated solenoids 64, 65, each mounted on a base 66,which in turn is fixed to a platform section. A link 67 is pivotallyconnected at 68 to one end of the core 69 of the solenoid, While theopposite end of the link is pivotally attached to one of the pins 61. Asis conventional, an iron ring 70 is fixed on the exposed end portion ofthe solenoid core. Considering for the amount the solenoid 64, ring 7!serves to limit movement of the core to the left by abutting against astop portion on the solenoid casing. As the movement of the core tendsto center itself in the field of the solenoid coil, the electromagneticpull thereon diminishes. Likewise as ring 70 approaches its coil, theelectromagnetic pull thereon increases. Thus the pull of the solenoid isinstant and substantially uniform throughout the stroke of the core. Atension spring 71 is anchored at one end to a crosspiece 72 extendingbetween posts of the frame, while the opposite end of the spring issecured to one of the pins 62. Thus, when the solenoid 64 is energized,rocker plate 60 and shaft 56 are moved counterclockwise until ring 70abuts said portion of the solenoid casing. Upon deenergization of thesolenoid, spring 71 instantly returns the plate and shaft to theiroriginal position. A bumper 73 is provided for controlling returnmovement of plate 60 to a set position. This bumper includes a threadedshank 74 passing through a tapped opening in a bracket 75'. A nut 76serves to fix the bumper in any adjusted position selected.

A rocker arm 77 is fixedly mounted on each end of each rock shaft bymeans of nuts 78, with the rocker arms of each shaft parallel anddisposed outwardly beyond the sides of the ramps and supportingstructure 52. Pairs of front and rear pendent rods 79, 80 are providedoneach of the several rocker arms, each pair being pivotally connectedat 81 to the opposite end portions of its respective rocker arm. Theseveral pendent rods extend downwardly below the lowermost controlstation each pair of rods is to service. Reaction rollers 79', 80' forthe several pendent rods 79, 80 are fixed near the lower ends of saidrods to guide same and prevent deflection of said rods by reason of thethrust imparted thereto by the cans being restrained.

A series of cooperating pairs of gate devices 82 for regulating advanceand final release of the cans are mounted on and bridge respective frontand rear pairs of the pendent rods 79, 80 (FIGURES 3-4), at such pointsvertically therealong as to position the pairs of gate devices near thelower end of the ramp to be regulated. The positioning of the severalgate devices at the lower end of each ramp is important in that thisarrangement prevents jamming and binding of the cans at the mostcritical points; viz., at the juncture of the ramps. Gate devices areomitted on the discharge end of ramp 33 in order to prevent tamperingwith the discharge mechanism, as by insertion of a wire or the like intothe discharge chute for the purpose of actuating the delivery mechanism.

Each gate device is illustrated as consisting of an elongate rigid fiatstrip 83 connected at its opposite ends to a respective pair of thependent rods. The last mentioned connection consists of threaded bolts84 passing through the ends of the strips and their respective rods,whereby the gate devices may be shifted laterally of the rods toproperly position the gate devices relative the cans. The adjustmentthereby adapts the apparatus to handle cans of any range of diameterwithin the limits of the bolt adjustments. In order to effect a facecontact, rather than an edge contact of the gate devices with the cans,the strips 83 are loosely mounted on the bolts to permit same to pivotabout their longitudinal axes, as shown in dotted lines in FIGURE 6.This looseness may be accomplished either by interposing soft rubberwashers between the gate members and the bolts, or by forming the gatemembers with oversize apertures for the bolts and but partiallytightening the bolts.

In FIGURE 2 the several gate devices are shown in the normal deenergizedstate of the power unit, with the springs 71 biasing the shafts 56 tothe normal starting position. FIGURE 3 shows in detail the position ofthe gate devices of the left hand unit of FIGURE 2. Here one pair ofrods 79 of each unit is in the down position, carrying with them theseveral gate devices mounted thereon, which devices are engaging andrestraining a can c at the lower end of each of the ramps, ready to bereleased on clockwise rocking of shaft 56. Meanwhile the cooperatingpairs of rods 80 are in the up position with their respective series ofgate devices clearing the path of the cans. It is apparent from FIGURE 6that upon energizing power unit 65 the rods 7? will be elevated,releasing cans c to topple onto cushioning springs 41 and start down thenext ramp. Coincident with elevation of the pair of rods 79 and the gatedevices carried thereby, the companion gate devices on rods 80 will belowered to intercept and restrain the succeeding can Upon deenergizationof power unit 65 the spring 71 will again return the gates to thestarting position mentioned above. Thus, upon each energization of thepower units one can will be discharged onto the ramp below, and theseries of cans on the several ramps will advance one step or unit.Depletion of the cans on the upper ramps in no way modifies theoperation of the apparatus, as to the cans on the ramps below, and theapparatus functions so long as a. can remains on the lowermost ramp 26.

The preceding description of operation has dealt largely with the lefthand unit of FIGURE 2. The right hand unit is identical save for thetransportation of the gates and the thrust rollers 79', 80' to theopposite side of the pendent rods, and the reverse angular position ofthe rocker arm. The left hand unit controls release of cans step by stepfrom the lower ends of ramps 23 and 25, while the right hand unitcontrols step by step descent on ramps 24, '26 and final discharge downramp 27. Upon each energization of the power units the lowermost can(FIGURE 2) is released and will roll down final ramp 27 to pick upstation 17. Enroute each discharged can passes over the trigger finger85 of a counter device. This counter device may be of the well knownVeeder type, which totalizes on the spot the number of cans dispensed.Each actuation of the counter finger also telemeters the result into theplant office by conventional means.

The two power units 64, 65 are plugged in to a common outlet box 86 andare under control of a common switch to operate simultaneously. Theswitch may be part of a conventional coin control mounted in the casing;but for the presently envisaged usage it is proposed to have the switchin the plant ofiice.

While two power units are shown in FIGURE 2, this has been dictated byeconomy and present availability of suitable small power units. InFIGURE 9 a single power unit is disclosed in the form of a solenoid.Here an additional rocker plate 87 extends vertically above and belowits pivot 88 on bracket 89. The links 67' to one gate mechanism isattached to the upper end of rocker plate 87, while the link to theother gate mechanism is attached to the lower end of the rocker plate.

In operation, upon energization of motor means 64, 65 (or the singlesolenoid of FIGURE 9), either by a coin control or from the plantoflice, as pointed out above, one can will be released and roll downlowermost ramp 27, all other cans on the several ramps simultaneouslyadvancing by one increment or can unit. By reason of the several sets ofgate devices, excessive downward thrust on the lowermost can isobviated, the gate devices at the same time precluding jamming at thejuncture of the ramps. The open frame and ramp structure permits easyplacement of the cans on the several ramps in stocking the apparatus. Inthe event all cans on the ramps have dispensed, this fact will beimmediately apparent from the failure of signals by the telemetercounter to the plant office.

While we have illustrated and described with particularity only a singlepreferred form of our invention, we do not desire to be limited to theexact structural details thus illustrated and described; but intend tocover all the forms and arrangements which come within the termsemployed in the definition of our invention constituting the appendedclaims.

What is claimed is:

1. Can dispensing apparatus comprising frame open on at least one sideand end, a series of communicating ramps mounted on said frame invertical zig-zag descending relation and rollingly guiding therealong aseries of contiguous cans, each of said ramps comprising spaced trackseach rail of which has along its outer edge an upstanding guide wall forrestraining the cans against unwarranted axial movement, the juncture ofthe lowermost end of each ramp terminating short of the uppermost end ofthe underlying ramp to permit cans to fall from one ramp to the nextbelow, a plurality of oppositely reciprocating dual gate units forcontrolling descent of said series of cans on said ramps, each unitadapted upon being actuated to pass a single can for descent and admitsaid series to move one can increment, said units being disposed at saidjunctures along the path of descent of said cans, to prevent jamming ofcontiguous cans moving down said ramps and excessive thrust on thelowermost can, and means for simultaneously operating all of said gateunits.

2. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, further including filler platesat said junctures disposed between the upper and nether rails andpreventing engagement between the cans and the upper edge of saidupstanding guide Walls of said rails.

3. The apparatus as defined in claim 1, further including cushioningmeans below each dual gate unit and at the juncture of said ramps forabsorbing the impact of cans falling from an upper to a lower ramp, andwherein said cushioning means is comprised of a pair of elongate elasticmembers disposed under tension below the juncture of said ramps, saidelastic members being fixed at one end at a point above the nether rampand at the other end at a point along and below the lastnamed ramp.

4. Apparatus for dispensing cylindrical cans comprising four verticalposts disposed corresponding to the corners of a rectangle, a series ofcommunicating ramps arranged Within the confines of said posts one abovethe other and descending downwardly in zig-Zag relation, the oppositeend portions of said ramps being secured to corresponding pairs of saidposts, each ramp being comprised of parallel dual tracks, and each trackbeing of L-shape in cross-section and the two tracks comprising eachramp being disposed with adjacent wall portions of said L-shaped trackslying in a common plane to provide a surface on which said cans may rolland the outer leg surface extending vertically to form guides to preventaxial movement of said cans, the lower end of each ramp terminatingshort of the high end of the ramp beneath to permit said cans to passfrom one ramp to the other, means mounted on said posts and above saidramps for controlling incremental movement of cans along said ramps anddischarge thereof down the lowermost ramp, said lastnamed meansincluding a pair of rock shafts extending parallel with the axes of saidcans, one rock shaft being disposed above the junctures at one end ofsaid ramps and the other rock shaft above the junctures at the otherends thereof, a rocker arm fixed to each end ,of eachrock shaft at apoint outwardly of said vertical guide surfaces of said tracks, pairs offront and rear pendent rods, each pair being pivotally connected to itsrespective rocker arm, pairs of gate devices disposed adjacent thejunctures of said ramps and extending parallel with said rock shafts,the ends of each gate device being connected to corresponding front andrear rods, whereby upon rocking of said shaft in one direction one setof said gate devices will be raised to permit the proximate can toadvance and the other set of gate devices will engage the next oncomingcan to restrain it, and remote controlled powerrneans for rocking saidshaft.

5. Can dispensing apparatus comprising a series of communicating rampsin vertical Zig-zag descending relation for sustaining and rol-linglyguiding therealong a series of contiguous cylindrical cans, a pair ofdual gate units,.each unit comprising spaced gate devices extending-pasta plurality of said ramps and alternately raised and lowered into canengaging position for controlling descent-of said series of cans, eachunit adapted upon being actuated to pass a single can on each of saidramps for descent and thus admit said series to move one can increment,said units being spaced along the path of descent of said cans toprevent jamming of contiguous cans moving down said ramps and excessivethrust on the lowermost can, and means for simultaneously operating allof said gate units.

6. Gating means for effecting incremental rolling movement of a seriesof cylindrical cans down a descending ramp structure, said gating meanscomprising a pair of parallel rock shafts arranged at spaced pointsalong said ramp structure and extending transversely and beyond thesides thereof, a front and rear rocker arms each of alengthsubstantiallyequal to the diameter of one of said cans and fixed to the respectiveends of each of said rock shafts, a rod pivotally depending from eachend of each rocker arm and reaching below said ramp, lateral thrustguide rollers for the lower ends of said rods, at least two pairs ofelongate gate devices adjacent said ramp structure, with each pair ofgate devices fixed at opposite ends to corresponding front and rear ofsaid depending rods, means including a remote control power meansconnected'to said rock shafts for simultaneously rocking said shaftsthrough a complete cycle upon ener- -gization anddeenergization-thereof, whereby upon rocking "of saidshafts in onedirection one of each of said pairs of gate devices will be raised topermit the proxiofsaid shafts'for rocking same in one direction, and

tension spring means also connected to said shafts vfor automaticallyreturning same-to their initial positions upon deenergizationof saidsolenoid means.

8. Apparatus for dispensing cylindrical cans comprising aiframe, aseries of communicating ramps mounted on said frame in vertical zig-zagdescending relation for sustaining and rollingly guiding therealong aseries of contiguous cans, [each of said ramps comprising spacedparallel tracks, and each track having a side guide rail for the cans, aplurality of dual gate units for controlling .descent of said series ofcans, each gate unit comprising :apair of spaced can restraining devicesalternately movable'into and out of the path of the cans and adapted,upon each actuation thereof to pass a single can for discharge .andadmit said series to move one can increment, said units being spacedalong the path of descent of said cans to prevent jamming of contiguouscans moving down said ramps and excessive thrust on the lowermost can,and means for simultaneously operating all of said gate units.

9. Gating means for effecting incremental rolling movement of a seriesof cylindrical cans down a descending ramp structure, said gating meanscomprising a pair of parallel shafts arranged at spaced pointslengthwise said ramp structure and extending transversely and beyond thesides thereof, front and rear rocker arms each of a length substantiallyequal to the diameter of one of said cans and fixed to the respectiveends of said rock shafts, a rod pivotally depending from each end ofeach rocker arm and reaching below said ramp structure, thrust means forguiding the lower ends of said rods, at least two pairs of elongate gatedevices adjacent said ramp structure, with the gates of each pair ofgate devices fixed at opposite ends to corresponding front and rear ofsaid depending rods, means including a remotely controlled power meansconnected to said rock shafts for simultaneously rocking said shaftsthrough a complete cycle, whereby upon rocking of said shafts in onedirection one each of said pairs of gate devices will be raised topermit the proximate can to descend and the others of said pairs of gatedevices will be simultaneously lowered to engage and restrain the nextoncoming can.

10. The apparatus as defined in claim 9 wherein said gate devicesconsist of rigid fiat strips secured at each end to respective of saidfront and rear pendent rods by threaded bolts permitting adjustment ofsaid individual gate devices lengthwise said ramp structure.

11. The apparatus as defined in claim 10 wherein said gate strips aremounted on said bolts for limited pivotal movement about theirlongitudinal axes to permit face contact of said strips with said cans.

l2. Gating means for effecting incremental rolling movement of a seriesof cylindrical cans down a descending ramp, said means comprising a pairof parallel rock shafts arranged at spaced points along said ramp andextending transversely and beyond the sides thereof, a front and rearrocker arm each of a length substantially equal to the diameter of oneof said cans and fixed to each end of said rock shafts, a rod pivotally.depending from each end of each rocker arm and reaching below said ramp,guide means for the lower ends of said rods, at least two pairs ofelongate gate devices adjacent said ramp, with each pair or devicesfixed at opposite ends to corresponding front and rear of said dependingrods, remote control power means connected to rocker plates fixedmedially of said rock shafts for simultaneously rocking said shafts inone direction upon energization thereof, a tension spring for each rockplate, one end of each spring being anchored and the other end connectedto its respective one of said rocker plates to bias said shafts to afixed initial angular position, and adjustable stop means engageablewith said rocker plates for determining said angular position, wherebyupon rocking of said shafts in one direction one of each of said pars ofgate devices will be raised to permit the proximate can to pass and theothers of said gate devices will be simultaneously lowered to engage andrestrain the next oncoming can.

13. Apparatus for dispensing cylindrical cans comprising a frameincluding four vertical corner posts, a series of overlyingcommunicating ramps arranged within said frame in ziig-zag downwardlydescending relation, said ramps being connected to and sustained by saidposts, the lower end of each ramp terminating short of the high end ofthe ramp beneath to permit passage of a can from one ramp to next below,said connections of said ramps to said posts including supporting platesfixed to said posts and to said ramps at the ramp junctures, each of,said ramps being comprised of a pair of tracks of L-shape incross-section thus presenting two walls with the ad jacent walls lyingin a common plane and the outer walls disposed vertically to serve ascan guides, filler plates on the inner side of said first-namedsupporting .plates,rsaid filler plates being of substantially thethickness of said outer walls of said tracks and resting on the latterto prevent cans from striking the edge of said guides when passing saidjunctures, .a platform structure also fixed to said posts and overlyingsaid ramps, rock shafts, one References Cited in the file of this patentadjacent each end of said platform and extending transversely thereofand beyond the sides of said ramps while UNITED STATES PATENTSsubstantially overlying the j-nnctures of said ramps, rocker I arms, onefixed to each end of each rock shaft, pendent 5 Bates Sept rodspivotally connected to each end of each rocker arm, 571389 f f 6vertically spaced pairs of elongate gate devices, one pair 667,249Polmer et 1901 adjacent each juncture of said ramps, each device of each876,291 Blakeslee 71 1908 of said gate devices being connected at itsopposite ends 1,401,983 Hultg'l'en Jlafl- 1922 to corresponding of saidpendent rods at opposite ends 10 1,985,513 Royden fl 1934 of saidshafts, whereby upon rocking of said shafts in 2,304, 84 Smith Dec. 8,1942 one direction one set of said gate devices will be raised 2,376,960Clem May 29, 1945 to permit a proximate can to advance and the other set2,790,526 Donnelly Apr. 30, 1957 of gate devices will be lowered toengage the next on- 2,956,660 Nordqujst O t, 18, 1960 coming can andrestrain same, and means for simul- 15 taneously rocking said shafts.

1. CAN DISPENSING APPARATUS COMPRISING FRAME OPEN ON AT LEAST ONE SIDEAND END, A SERIES OF COMMUNICATING RAMPS MOUNTED ON SAID FRAME INVERTICAL ZIG-ZAG DESCENDING RELATION AND ROLLINGLY GUIDING THEREALONG ASERIES OF CONTIGUOUS CANS, EACH OF SAID RAMPS COMPRISING SPACED TRACKSEACH RAIL OF WHICH HAS ALONG ITS OUTER EDGE AN UPSTANDING GUIDE WALL FORRESTRAINING THE CANS AGAINST UNWARRANTED AXIAL MOVEMENT, THE JUNCTURE OFTHE LOWERMOST END OF EACH RAMP TERMINATING SHORT OF THE UPPERMOST END OFTHE UNDERLYING RAMP TO PERMIT CANS TO FALL FROM ONE RAMP TO THE NEXTBELOW, A PLURALITY OF OPPOSITELY RECIPROCATING DUAL GATE UNITS FORCONTROLLING DESCENT OF SAID SERIES OF CANS ON SAID RAMPS, EACH UNITADAPTED UPON BEING ACTUATED TO PASS A SINGLE CAN FOR DESCENT AND ADMITSAID SERIES TO MOVE ONE CAN INCREMENT, SAID UNITS BEING DISPOSED AT SAIDJUNCTURES ALONG THE PATH OF DESCENT OF SAID CANS, TO PREVENT JAMMING OFCONTIGUOUS CANS MOVING DOWN SAID RAMPS AND EXCESSINVE THRUST ON THELOWERMOST CAN, AND MEANS FOR SIMULTANEOUSLY OPERATING ALL OF SAID GATEUNITS.